Writing Creative Description
Show, don't tell, with sensory detail.
Examples
- The air smelled of rain and woodsmoke.
Key rules
- Show, do not tell: use sensory details such as sight, sound, smell, touch and taste
- Choose specific nouns and verbs
- Use figurative language sparingly
Common mistakes
- The forest was beautiful and it was quiet. → The forest was hushed, the air sharp with pine and wet earth.
Use cases
- Short stories
- Travel writing
- Descriptive writing exams
💡 Tip: Pick the three most vivid senses for each scene and avoid describing everything.